Donald Trump is addressing the recent backlash against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The president had great things to say about Musk.
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In a pre-game Super Bowl interview with FOX News Channel's Bret Baier, Trump said that Musk is accomplishing everything that Trump ran on. The president doesn't agree with criticism.
He said, "I don't know if it's kickbacks or what's going on, but the people. Look, I ran on this, and the people want me to find it. And I've had a great help with Elon Musk, who's been terrific."
In response, Baier asks, "Bottom line, you say you trust him?"
Trump replies, "Trust Elon? Oh, he's not gaining anything. In fact, I wonder how he can devote the time to it. He's so into it. But I told him do that. Then I'm going to tell him very soon, like maybe in 24 hours, to go check to the Department of Education. He's going to find the same thing. Then I'm going to go to the military. Let's check the military. We're going to find billions, hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud and abuse. And, you know, the people elected me on that."
Trump's poking around in the federal government has drawn mixed reception depending on which party lines you fall on. A federal judge has blocked Musk and DOGE's access to the Treasury Department after Musk and his team made that their next target.
Trump Defends Elon Musk
Musk has been tasked by Trump to eliminate government inefficiencies and cut costs through a government audit. "It's not going to be some sort of backroom secret thing," Musk said last year. "It will be as transparent as possible."
However, his critics have called him out for not keeping that promise. However, Musk has several high-profile supporters including Trump.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz defended Musk from scrutiny.
"All too often, these missions and these programs, number one, are not in line with strategic U.S. interests, like pushing back on China," Waltz said. "They're doing all kinds of other things that, frankly, aren't in line with strategic interests or the president's vision."
Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also supported Musk and the organization.
"We have real concerns with all the waste, fraud and abuse that Elon Musk and his team are identifying," he said "It's interesting. You know, no one wants to defend the waste fraud and abuse, so they attack the guy who's exposing all the waste fraud and ridiculous things we're spending money on."
The interview will air at 3:25 PM/ET during the FOX SUPER BOWL LIX PREGAME show. Additional portions of the interview will air Monday evening on FOX News Channel's Special Report at 6 PM/ET.
